Miracle Mile
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Movie Reviews of Miracle Mile
Movie Review: A movie that will haunt you for years
Summary: 5 Stars
Others have described (perhaps too much of) the plot of this film, so my review will focus more on the film's effect.I first saw this movie in '89-'90, at my then-fiance's house. I thought I was in for a boring romantic comedy. Instead I was shocked into thoughtful silence for the remainder of the evening. It has since become one of my all-time favorite films, and I am glad to see it has finally been released on DVD (I recall looking for it here previously and only finding rental-licensed VHS copies for $90).
The feeling of anxiety and mounting dread is simply so palpable in this film, and stays with you long after it ends. I remember catching myself speeding on my drive home after watching this... the lingering feeling of urgency was that strong. As mentioned elsewhere, the characters in the film are all utterly convincing, no matter how outlandish they may seem. This makes the drama all the more real. I also think the fact that the movie takes place at 4am is a big plus. Until the last part of the film, the streets of LA are eerily deserted as Harry races to get Julie and himself to safety. All of this, coupled with the haunting soundtrack from Tangerine Dream (the first CD I ever purchased!), combines to make a movie that you will want to watch again.
I second the previous reviewer's suggestion to have an unsuspecting friend watch this with you. I guarantee they will be stunned into silence when the credits roll.
As a final note, I thought that this film was released originally on HBO (hence the lack of a widescreen version). However, I see other reviewers mentioning watching it in the theater. As I first saw it on video, I can't comment on what might be missing. However, this is one film that I'm going to purchase for its content, regardless of format (and I'm normally a widescreen snob <g>).
Movie Review: Hard to believe we could ever be nostalgic for the cold war...
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember seeing this movie on a date in May 1989, at age 24. Given that this was the summer that also gave us "When Harry Met Sally" and "Dead Poet's Society, and also given the glum subject matter, it is easy to see how it was overlooked.
The premise is great: the missed date, the phone call and the doubt as to if the call was for real or not set up a great plot. When it becomes evident that the worst is really about to happen, the true fabric of human nature is exposed, in both very profound and very telling ways. I've always thought the most touching scene in the movie is where Winningham's estranged grandparents choose to spend their final time reconciling after so many years apart. Were I to learn I had ninety minutes left on Earth, I hope I would make a similar choice.
In many ways, this film is a great flashback to the 1980s including pastel suits (with shoulderpads) for women, brick sized cellphones, and the ever present tensions between the US and the Soviet Union. When I see it today, given the current threat of terrorism, it makes the 1980s seem so much simpler, when we had one major threat. (Which is in no way meant to downplay the gravity of the issue)...Good stuff and good food for thought.
Movie Review: What an ending!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw Miracle Mile back when it first appeared on VHS. I remember that the theatrical preview for it revealed very little of what the film was actually about. At least I think I remember it that way. Anyway, as I watched the film, and its plot became clear, I prepared myself for a bummer ending. How delighted I was when the end came! It was nice to see that writer/director Steve De Jarnett had the backbone to end it the way he did. And now, something like twenty years later, the ending is still as timely, and as scary, as it ever was! Main disappointment: The DVD is not letter-boxed! However, the film is still a frightening blast and remains one of my all-time favorites of the genre. Anthony Edwards is sympathetic as the poor sap who picks up a ringing pay phone only to encounter the most horrifying wrong-number caller in history. Mare Winningham is also fine as his love-interest. Although the film's budget is obviously not enormous, DeJarnett's innovative direction, and the film's good acting and sense of mounting tension, overcome all technical quibbles you may have. Just a wild, scary ride for anyone who likes the everyman-thrown-into-an-extraordinary-situation type movies! Check it out!Movie Review: Film was not shot widescreen, but 35mm open matte.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a good film but for those of you looking for a widescreen version of it you are wasting your time. Miracle Mile was shot in "academy square 35mm open matte" which is an aspect ratio of 1:37:1, not 1:85:1 or 2:35:1. 1:37 is close to TV's 1:33 ratio meaning that you are getting more of the image from the original camera negative on the DVD transfer than was originally shown in theatres which would have been cropped with black bars to 1:85 to suit theatre screens thereby losing some picture info.
But, nearly the entire film neg image is tranferred for the 4:3 dvd transfer. For theatre this film was cropped to 1:85 -so image info was actually lost in theaters for this film. This was the same procedure used for Kubrick's last 4 films -the 4:3 transfers are the full image. The film was shot basically like a T.V. film. The transfer is not a pan & scan, there is no need to p&s when the whole neg image is transferred, like on the original vhs.
There is almost no image loss.
Be happy with it.
Movie Review: Excellent!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm sure some will disagree on some technical points, but this is really just about as realistic as you will get out of Hollywood, at least as far as the interactions between the characters goes and the decisions they make.
Sure, the misdialed number to a payphone is a small stetch to start it off, but not unrealistic. And then, what happens? Well, it's simple: People start to talk and do what they do best; question, worry, speculate, wonder. Ultimately, some calls are made which add credibility to the speculation.
The next stretch is everyone in the diner freaking out with such minimal info, but hey, it's a 90 minute movie, they only have time for so much.
The general idea of word spreading around and ultimately leading to chaos is very believable, and that is what makes this film so great; that you can actually believe it could happen that way.
The ending was a disappointment in a way, but still good.